Huge buildings, huge ships, vivid history, a job for life. The film looks at work in Chatham Dockyard. A piece of rope a quarter of a mile long stretches away down the ropewalk and the film takes the viewer on a journey echoing this movement. Memories, drama reconstruction and a rhythmic soundtrack draw one back through time. The majority of the performers are ex-dockyardmen and women, bringing a fresh authenticity to the film.

ROPEMAKERS is an atmospheric and lyrical film. Fluid imagery reveals people at work, machinery turning. Original music by Curtis Lugay underpins the development.

Most of the voices are those of craftsmen and women. The film is told in their words.

The former naval dockyard was a unique, archaic and secret environment. When the Navy moved away a way of life came to an abrupt halt. The film explores a way of life and an attitude to skilled work which are now all but extinct.